No deep thoughts. Sometimes a flower is just a flower.
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One Flat Thing, reproduced at Pacific Northwest Ballet
Pacific Northwest Ballet dancers in William Forsythe’s One Flat Thing, reproduced, 2018. Photo © Angela Sterling.
The Director’s Choice program at Pacific Northwest Ballet this year comprised four outstanding ballets. But let’s face it, the one everybody wants to talk about is William Forsythe’s “One Flat Thing, reproduced.” It’s one of the most divisive ballets ever performed at this company (spoiler alert: I love it). Some people question whether it is even ballet. They doubt that the score qualifies as music. The questions are valid, but the answers are a resounding “yes!” This is the best kind of music and ballet – the kind that confuses us, makes us uncomfortable, and makes us think.
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Red Angels at Pacific Northwest Ballet
Pacific Northwest Ballet dancers Lesley Rausch and Lucien Postlewaite in Ulysses Dove’s Red Angels, 2018. Photo © Angela Sterling.
When I watched part of the rehearsal for Director’s Choice at Pacific Northwest Ballet, my attention was captured by another piece (more on that one later). But during the performance, “Red Angels” was the one that stood out. When the piece ended and the lights came up, my nine-year-old (who usually prefers a more traditional style of ballet) turned me wide-eyed and said, “That was amazing.”
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Slingerland Duet at PNB Director’s Choice
Pacific Northwest Ballet dancer Miles Pertl and Lindsi Dec in Slingerland Duet 2018. Photo © Lindsay Thomas.
“Slingerland Duet (Pas de deux)” is only eight minutes long. But what wonderful minutes they are. “Slingerland Duet” is the second of four pieces presented at this year’s Director’s Choice at Pacific Northwest Ballet. Director’s Choice is my favorite rep of the season most years, but this year was the best yet. Artistic Director Peter Boal says he chooses pieces that he wants audiences to understand “are worth their attention and exploration.” That is certainly true of “Slingerland Duet.” Read More
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Punishing Pirates and the Law of Nations – Constitution Article 1 §8.10
Article 1 §8.10 of the Constitution is about Congress’ power to punish piracy. Pirates are always good reading, but that’s not why I’m studying 1 §8.10.
In episode 8 of the wonderful anime Kino’s Journey, a character wanders into a country where people live in peace and freedom and are welcoming to newcomers. His companion says it seems like a perfectly normal place. He replies, “A lot of people have to work very hard to make a place normal.”
Democracy is not for spectators; it takes a lot of work from a lot of people. To do it right, you have to know the rules. That’s why I’m studying the Constitution, one clause at a time. I’m up to Article 1 §8.10. Read More